Of godly, CHAP. VII, VIII. and worldly sorrow 14 Be ye not unequally yoked together | godly manner, that ye might receive 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth, with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God, as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. HA CHAP. VII. AVING therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Receive us, we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man. 3 I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that you are in our hearts to die and live with you. 4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you; 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of, but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 11 For behold this self same thing that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea what fear, yea what vehement desire, yea what zeal, yea what revenge; In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. 12 Wherefore though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you. 13 Therefore we were comforted in your comfort, yea and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all. 14 For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting which I made before Titus, is found a truth. 15 And his inward affection is more. abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him. 16 I rejoice therefore that I have con fidence in you in all things. CHAP. VIII. Contribution for the poor Saints. I am filled with comfort, I am exceed-M to wit of the grace of God be. ing joyful in all our tribulation. 5 For when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. 6 Nevertheless, God that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus. 7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation where with he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me, so that I rejoiced the more. 8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: For I perceive that the same Epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. 9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a 16 stowed on the Churches of Macedonia, 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves: 4 Praying us with much entreaty, that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us, by the will of God. 6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you, the same grace also. 7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and know. 181 ledge, and in all diligence, and in your Christ's poverty. II. CORINTHIANS. Bounty towards the Saints love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. 8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. 9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 10 And herein I give my advice, for this is expedient for you, who have be. gun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. 11 Now therefore perform the doing of it, that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which you have. 12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. ed of, they are the messengers of the Churches, and the glory of Christ. 24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the Churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your be. half. CHAP. IX. FOR Stirring them up to a bountiful alms. OR as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you. 2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago, and your zeal hath provoked very many. 3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf, that as I said, ye may be ready. 4 Lest haply if they. of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, 13 For I mean not that other men be we (that we say not, you) should be eased, and you burdened: ashamed in this same confident boasting. 14 But by an equality: that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want, that there may be equality; . 15 As it is written, He that had gather. ed much, had nothing over, and he that had gathered little, had no lack. 16 But thanks be to God which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. 17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation, but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you. 18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the Gospel, throughout all the Churches. 19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the Churches to travel with us with this grace which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind. 20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us. 21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but in the sight of men. 22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have often times proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you. 23 Whether any do inquire of Titus; he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you: or our brethren be inquir. 5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up before. hand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, not of covetousness. 6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly, shall reap sparingly: and he which soweth bountifully, shall reap bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purpos eth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound towards you, that ye always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work, 9 (As it is written: He hath dispersed abroad: He hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth sced to the sower, both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 12 For the administration of this ser vice, not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 13 While by the experiment of this ministration, they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the Gospel of Paul's weapons. CHẠP. X, XI. His godly jealousy. Christ, and for your liberal distribution | measure of the rule, which God hath unto them, and unto all men : distributed to us, a measure to reach 14 And by their prayer for you, which even unto you. long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. 14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure as though we reached not unto you, for we are come as far as to you also, in preaching the Gospel of Christ. 15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours, but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you, according to our rule abundantly, 16 To preach the Gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another 2 But I beseech you, that I may not be man's line of things made ready to our bold when I am present, with that con-hand. fidence wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exaltoth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ: 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. 7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? if any man trust to himself, that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's. 8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: 9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. 10 For his letters (say they) are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. 11 Let such a one think this: that such as we are in word by letters, when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present. 12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves amongst themselves, are not wise. 13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the 17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 18 For, not he that commendeth him. self is approved, but whom the Lord cominendeth. CHAP. XI. A forced commendation of himself. WOULD to God you could bear indeed bear with me. with me a little in my folly, and 2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy, for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a. chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth ano. ther Jesus whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another Gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 5 For, I suppose, I was not a whit behind the very chiefest Apostles. 6 But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been thoroughly made manifest among you in all things. 7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself, that you might be exalted, because I have preached to you the Gospel of God freely? 8 I robbed other Churches, taking wa. ges of them to do you service. 9 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me, the brethren which came from Macedo. nia supplied, and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so will I keep myself. 12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion, that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. 13 For such are false Apostles, deceit. ful workers, transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works. 16 I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little. 17 That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly in this confidence of boasting. 18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also. 19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. 20 For ye suffer if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face. 21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak: how. beit, whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,)I am bold also. 22 Are they Hebrews? so am I: are they Israelites? so am I are they the seed of Abraham? so am I: 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned: thrice I suffered shipwreck: a night and a day I have been in the deep. 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by my own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren, 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Besides those things that are with Paul's afflictions out, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the Churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? 30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities., 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. 32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the King, kept the city with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me. 33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and es. caped his hands, CHAP. XII. Of his wonderful revelations. T is not expedient for me, doubtless, revelations of the Lord. 2 I knew a man in Christ above four. teen years ago, whether in the body, I cannot tell, or whether out of the body, I cannot tell, God knoweth : such a one, caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell, God knoweth.) 4 How that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one will I glory, yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool: for I will say the truth. But now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me: 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Sa. tan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infir mities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmi. ties, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 11 I am become a fool in glorying, ye have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest Apostles, though I be nothing. 12 Truly the signs of an Apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs and wonders, and mighty deeds. 13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other Churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong. 14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be burdensome to you; for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you, though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. 16 But be it so: I did not burden you: nevertheless being crafty, I caught you with guile. 17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them, whom I sent unto you? 18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother did Titus make a gain of you? Walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps? 19 Again, think you that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. 20 For I fear lest when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not, lest there be debates, envy. ings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whis perings, swellings, tumults; 21 And lest when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness, and fornication, and lasciviousness which they have committed. CHAP. XIII. He threateneth obstinate sinners. HIS is the third time I am coming to you: in the mouth of two or THI Try your fai three witnesses shall every word be tablished. 2 I told you before, and foretell you a if I were present the second time; and being absent, now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that if I come again I will not spare: 3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ, speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you. 4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God: for we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. 5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith: prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. 7 Now I pray to God, that ye do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates. 8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 9 For we are glad when we are weak, and ye are strong and this also we wish, even your perfection. 10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction. 11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints salute you. 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. The second Epistle to the Corinthians, was written from Philippi a city of Macedonia, by Titus and Lucas. The Epistle of PAUL to the GALATIANS. CHAP. I. He wondereth that they have so soon left the Gospel. PAUL an Apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead, 2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the Churches of Galatia: 3 Grace be to you and peace, from God the Father, and from our Lord Je. sus Christ, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God, and our Father, 5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. |